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Community members celebrate National Day of Prayer

Thursday is the National Day of Prayer. And many in Bakersfield gathered at the Liberty Bell for this yearly event to pray for our city and nation.

For one hour today Kern County residents gathered to participate in songs, prayers and messages of worship. Around 100 community members gathered at the Liberty Bell this afternoon, marking the 67th Annual National Day of Prayer.

It was started in 1775 by congress, designated for the first Thursday in May. “They determined that the nation is never going to survive without prayer to the god that founded this nation,” said Rollie Moore, the chairman of the Bakersfield National Day of Prayer. The theme of this year was “Pray for America…Unity”. “Pray for the nation, pray for its leaders, pray for the families, pray for our military and our law enforcement, all those that give their lives,” said Moore.

Moore says that it’s important to hold something like this every year. “This is an opportunity to help people know and realize that there is a support above and beyond themselves, that god will hear and answer any prayer that they give to help them and get them back on the right track,” said Moore.

Organizers say the main goal was all about getting closer to god. Moore says that Bakersfield needs god just as much as any place else. “We have gone so astray over the last number of years that we really need god back in the focus of the lives of this nation,” said Moore.

At Thursday’s event the South High School Army JROTC presented the colors. And the Bakersfield Fire Department had an American flag hanging over the event. In Tehachapi more than 100 people gathered in front of Tehachapi City Hall for an hour with prayers shared by different local pastors and leaders.